High growth Hull business The 55 Group has completed its relocation to a redevelopment of a former city centre bank, creating a thriving creative and innovation hub.
The parent company of national framework provider Pagabo, risk management and compliance software company Sypro, social value specialists Loop, and digital-first training platform Tequ has taken on the former HSBC on Whitefriargate.
The completion of a £1.6 million refurbishment marks a new chapter for the businesses that will see them “strive towards a shared vision to challenge the status quo and introduce new technologies making people’s lives easier, safer and greener”.
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Many of the 142-year-old building’s original decorative features have been retained, including the original ceiling detailing, which has been repainted in a striking dark blue with white decorative highlighting, and a glazed dome lantern that sits above a newly created mezzanine floor.
Rich woodwork panelling, decorative columns and generous high windows that flood the workspaces with natural light have also been retained. These elements have been incorporated effectively into the design alongside modern elements to create a contemporary finish fit for modern day working practices, with a clear nod to the building’s heritage.
Gerard Toplass, group chief executive, said: “We’re overjoyed to now be in our new home after waiting patiently while renovation work took place. It’s the perfect environment to collaborate professionally and socialise as friends using the integrated mix of workspaces and leisure facilities. As an organisation we’re onboard with flexible working and are happy for staff to use the facilities as needed, but it is reassuring that we have now made sure everyone has access to a high-quality work environment.
“Between the businesses now homed here, much of our history has been created in the north and specifically in Hull, so there was never anywhere else we considered creating our future. The building is positioned in a historic and beautiful area of the city, which inspired us to make the interior similarly as attractive but with the modern twists required to make it suitable for our forward-thinking ethos.”
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The 55 Group benefited from significant equity buy-in recently, and the new base also welcomes a tenant. Hotham’s Gin School has settled into its striking new home on the second floor, which combines calming green tones with wood and copper finishes throughout. The design and fit-out of the Grade II ex-banking hall has been carried out by architects Stephen George + Partners LLP.
Simon Hunt, chief executive officer at Sypro, said: “It’s fantastic to be forging the future of The 55 Group from our new city-centre base. Sypro relies on close cooperation with our stakeholders to understand common pain points, so we know we have a lot to bring to the table with the businesses we work with in Hull and beyond. It’s been an exciting moving process and we’re now looking forward to entertaining our clients with all that our office and Hull has to offer.”
The project was supported by a £711,000 grant from the Humber High Street Challenge Fund.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, said: “It’s great to see the ongoing regeneration of Whitefriargate and the confidence that businesses are continuing to show in the area.
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“55 Whitefriargate is an incredible building so it’s fantastic to see it back in use. This project complements the vision we have for the area, of being a vibrant place for people to live, work and play, as well as complementing both established and newly arrived businesses in the Old Town.”
The wider regeneration of Whitefriargate is being supported by £1 million of funding from the Humber High Street Challenge Fund, as well as £1.75 million from Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme.
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James Newman, chair of HEY LEP, said: “We are thrilled to see new businesses directly benefit from the Humber High Street Challenge Fund and that this programme is having a positive impact in Hull city centre, especially in historic Whitefriargate. Making our towns and city centres accessible and vibrant will stimulate the economy, with benefits for all residents and businesses.
“This fund was launched to breathe new life into the region’s town and city centres, and we are very pleased to see new businesses opening during what has been a challenging time for our high streets.”
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